Destination selection: Influence of tourists’ personality on perceived travel constraints

Abstract

This study discusses how tourists’ personality traits influence their perceived travel constraints during the destination selection process. Specifically, it investigates how the personalities of tourists involved in the preliminary consideration of a tourist destination influences their perceived leisure travel constraints and the corresponding information searches under different temporal distance conditions. Partial least squares (PLS) and PLS multi-group analyses were performed on 335 completed surveys (177 and 158 for the distant- and near-future scenarios, respectively) and revealed that the constraints of safety concerns and a lack of interest, time, and money were major concerns of tourists. These constraints were experienced more strongly for a high temporal distance, than a low temporal one. The impact of personality on perceived constraints was more evident for high temporal distance. The study has practical ramifications for destination marketing organizations in that it can enhance their understanding of tourists’ behavior during the pre-trip planning stage, and help prevent the “premature” elimination of their destinations.